Despite Low Prices, Texas Oil Group Stays Optimistic
Texas’ oil and gas industry is touting its record-breaking 2014 contributions to state and local government coffers, an effort to stay positive amid 2015's far gloomier revenue outlook. Full Story
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![An oil pump.]()
Credit: Esteban Monclova for The Texas Tribune -
Campbell Faces Skepticism of Alamo Protection Proposal
State Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, was grilled by fellow senators Tuesday over her proposal to ban foreign control of the Alamo. Full Story
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![The Alamo in San Antonio.]()
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After 24 Years, Van de Putte Bids Farewell to the Lege
After 24 years in the Legislature and a failed campaign for lieutenant governor, state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte bid an emotional farewell to her colleagues on Tuesday. She now faces a crowded field in the race to be San Antonio mayor. Full Story
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![Sen. Leticia Van de Putte on February 24th, 2015, her last day as Texas Senator]()
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Senate Leaders Propose $4.6 Billion in Tax Breaks
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced a slate of bills he says will provide lasting tax relief to businesses and homeowners in Texas — to the tune of $4.6 billion. But there are signs he could face some opposition within his own party. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announces the filing of SB1 with a series of property and business tax cuts for Texans on Feb. 24, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
First Woman Assuming Command of A&M Corps
Alyssa Marie Michalke arrived at Texas A&M as a shy and quiet high school standout from Schulenburg, she says. Now a junior, she's about to take charge of the famous and storied Corps of Cadets. Full Story
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![The first woman, Alyssa Marie Michalke , has been appointed to lead Texas A&M’s legendary Corps of Cadets.]()
Credit: Texas A&M University -
John Ratcliffe: The TT Interview
The new Texas congressman on ousting the dean of his home state's delegation, making friends in Washington and his insistence that he won't "fit into a particular box." Full Story
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![John Ratcliffe, Republican candidate for Texas' 4th U.S. Congressional District speaks in Fort Worth on June 5, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
UT/TT Poll: Voters Less Open to Open Carry
Most Texans support carrying guns in public, but only a minority supports carrying them openly, whether the carriers are licensed or not, according to the University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman -
The Brief: Feb. 24, 2015
This month's University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll explored registered voters' views on carrying handguns in public, finding a strong plurality of 45 percent supporting the current legal framework of licensed concealed carry. Full Story
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![Activists who support a legislative proposal that would lift the state's handgun licensing requirements stand outside the state Capitol on the opening day of the Texas Legislature on Jan. 13, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Study: Austin is Most Economically Segregated Metro Area
Among the largest metro areas in the country, Austin ranks as the place where wealthy, college-educated professionals and less-educated, blue-collar workers are least likely to share the same neighborhoods. Full Story
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![Stevie Ray Vaughn]()
Credit: Trey Ratcliff -
Rodney Reed Wins Stay of Execution
The state's highest criminal court on Monday issued a stay of execution for Rodney Reed so new evidence can be considered that defense attorneys say proves their client's innocence. Full Story
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![Death row inmate Rodney Reed, scheduled to be executed on March 5, 2015.]()
Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
Perry Attorneys Challenge Amended Indictment
An amended indictment against Rick Perry is "woefully deficient" and should be rejected, the former governor's attorneys said in a court document filed Monday. Full Story
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![Former Gov. Rick Perry at Jan. 28 press conference with his lead attorney, Tony Buzbee.]()
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Feds Appeal Texas Judge's Ruling on Obama Immigration Order
The Obama administration on Monday filed an appeal of last week’s ruling by a Texas judge that halted the president's immigration order. The U.S. government also requested that a federal judge let the program continue as the appeals process plays out. Full Story
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![From left, immigration rights activists Manuel Ramirez, Lucian Villasenor and Adrian Orozco protest President Obama's Civil Rights Summit speech at the University of Texas in 2014, challenging the president's dedication to civil rights.]()
Credit: Charlie Pearce -
Combs Lands Position at Conservative Think Tank
Susan Combs, the former Texas comptroller of public accounts, is joining the Texas Public Policy Foundation as a visiting senior fellow. Full Story
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![Texas Comptroller Susan Combs on Feb. 7, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
The Brief: Feb. 23, 2015
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker are the co-favorites among Texas Republicans to take their party's nomination for president, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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![Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker speaks at the Iowa Freedom Summit at the Hoyt Sherman Place theater in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015.]()
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UT/TT Poll: In Texas, Walker Catches Cruz
Ted Cruz's wide lead over other contenders for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Texas has disappeared; he is now in a virtual tie with the surging Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story
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Judge Urges Lawmakers to Fix School Finance
Retired state District Judge John Dietz, who found the Texas school finance system unconstitutional last year, told teachers Sunday that Texas is "dooming a generation" of children. The Legislature, not the courts, should fix the problems, he said. Full Story
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![District Court Judge John Dietz of Austin is shown in his courtroom on Feb. 4, 2013, before he ruled that the state's school finance system was unconstitutional.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: Abbott Takes Immigration Message to D.C.
Appearing on a pair of national news shows Sunday, Gov. Greg Abbott promised to fight President Obama's executive action on immigration all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he said the case would "no doubt" end up. Full Story
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![A cheerful Gov. Greg Abbott predicts that any challenge to Judge Andrew S. Hanen's recent amnesty ruling will be rejected on appeal at a Texas Capitol press conference on Feb. 18, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Inside Texas Politics: Gay Marriage and Immigration
On this week's edition of WFAA-TV's Inside Texas Politics, talk turns to some state Republicans' rhetoric after recent gay marriage and immigration rulings — will their celebrations now make them seem out of touch in the future? Full Story
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![Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey on Inside Texas Politics on Feb. 22, 2015.]()
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Perry's Longtime Embrace of Tax Subsidies Could Haunt 2016 Prospects
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry has been promoting tax subsidies for private businesses since the early 1990s. But the programs have rarely lived up to their promise, and a series of damning audits could hurt his expected 2016 presidential run. Full Story
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![Rick Perry in 1991 at Uncle Ben's rice offices in Houston to promote his Make It Texas initiative. The program was designed to promote the agricultural processing industry with loan guarantees, but a high failure rate sank the program and triggered a $14.7 million bailout in 2009.]()
Credit: Texas State Library and Archives Commission -
Battleground Regroups: "We Got the Shit Kicked Out of Us"
More than three months after Republicans shellacked Democrats at the polls, Battleground Texas — the group aiming to turn bright-red Texas into some shade of blue — is staying cheery as it regroups. Full Story
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![Jeremy Bird speaking at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sep. 28, 2013]()
Credit: Callie Richmond